Peter Jackson, who directed Lord of the Rings, admitted in an interview last year that Weinstein specifically warned him against casting Judd, who was in contention for the role of Arwen - which eventually went to Liv Tyler. In a statement, Judd said that "even a few false statements from Mr. Weinstein could destroy potentially career-changing professional opportunities. It’s time that Mr. Weinstein be held accountable for that conduct and for the ways in which he’s damaged careers."

Weinstein's legal team have denied the claims, and responded with a statement of their own. As they tell it, "(the) most basic investigation of the facts will reveal that Mr. Weinstein neither defamed Ms. Judd nor ever interfered with Ms. Judd’s career, and instead not only championed her work but also repeatedly approved her casting for two of his movies over the next decade."